It’s easy to touch-enable your existing Windows PC. Here are a few recommendations, along with pros and cons for each method.

With Windows 8 making good penetration into the PC ecosystem, more and more people are looking to add touch functionality to their existing PC. Here’s how to do it without breaking the bank.

Touchscreen monitor

When we think of touch, we automatically think of touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets, and this is why when we think of a touch-enabled PC, we think of a touchscreen PC. And there are a number of touchscreens on the market that you can buy to add to an existing system.

One thing worth noting is that for the best Windows 8/Windows 10 experience, you want a touchscreen panel that has a bezel that’s flush with the front of the display, otherwise it is hard getting making use of gestures.

Here are some suggestions:

Acer FT220HQL 21.5-inch, priced at around $280

Dell P2314T 23-inch, priced at around $500

Dell P2714T 27-inch, priced at around $720

Pros:

Easy and intuitive to use.

Easy upgrade to carry out.

Cons:

You have to replace the whole monitor (unless you keep the old one and add it as a second screen).

Expensive.

Pen tablet

Another touch option is to add a pen tablet. This gives you a quick and easy way to add touch at a low price and without much fuss.

I recommend taking a look at the Wacom range of tablets, in particular the Intuos Pro line, which come in small, medium, and large. Not only can these be used with a pen, but they also feature a touch-sensitive surface.

Prices range from $230 to $500, depending on size.

Pros:

Great dual-use tool.

Perfect for artists, photographers, and creative types.

Option to switch between pen and tablet.

Cons:

Quite pricey.

Tablets take up a lot of desk space.

Touch-enabled peripherals

Windows 8 has spawned a mass of touch-enabled peripherals from companies such as Logitech andMicrosoft , ranging from touchpads to touch-enabled mice.